Unprecedented water crisis impending: Minister Dr Pariyar

Kathmandu, Dec 9: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar, said unprecedented water crisis is impending, so regional collaboration is imperative to ensure water security. 

The Minister said it at a strategic dialogue jointly organized by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Kathmandu here today. 

Bringing appalling fact to the fore that nearly 4 billion people experience water scarcity at least once a year, Minister Pariyar called for regional cooperation and coordinated effort to minimize the risk of depleting water. Pariyar cautioned that if water crisis is not addressed timely, it can threaten food security. He warned, "If this crisis goes unchecked, it could create humanitarian emergencies, fuel migration pressures, potentially leading to instability."

At the dialogue themed 'Water Conservation and Innovation amid Global Climate Challenges: Insights from the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative', the Minister acknowledged water crisis as one of the pressing challenges of present time. 

The Water Initiatives, established and launched by President Mohamed bin Zayed in February, 2024 aimed to provide practical solutions to the communities reeling under water crisis and for environmental conservation.

The Minister, during his address, mentioned that water conservation and innovation had emerged central issues to the global stability and human-well being of late. The Minister expressed his concern, "Although Nepal is rich in water resources, many communities still face critical scarcity during dry months." 

He also worried that over the drying up of water springs in large parts of the mid-hills and rising extraction of groundwater in the Terai region besides the threats to water systems across villages due to climate change and population growth. Pariyar argued that climate change had further aggravated these issues. "Rainfall became more unpredictable. Glaciers, which serve as a vital water reserve, are shrinking. Droughts, flash floods and seasonal shifts are affecting agriculture and community water supply system."

With this, the Minister emphasized the need for coordinated action, scientific planning, technological innovation, community partnerships and international cooperation for water conservation. 

Stating that water issues in the Himalayan region were deeply interconnected,  he highlighted the importance of trans-boundary collaboration and regional cooperation, shared data systems, joint scientific research, early-warning mechanisms, and coordinated basin-level planning.

On a different note, Minister Pariyar said that Nepal and UAE shared warm and expanding relations built on mutual trust, respect and shared aspirations for sustainable prosperity. He viewed that the connection at people-to-people level always served as one of the strongest pillars of Nepal-UAE relations.

Also addressing the dialogue, UAE Ambassador to Nepal, Abdulla Saeed Mubarak Jarwan Al Shamsi, urged to protect water as a fundamental resource for life, development and environment. Stating that water is essential for human survival, economic advancement and ecological balance, the Envoy noted that millions of people across the globe were facing acute water shortage daily. 

He maintained, "Water is a precious and limited resource. Challenges like climate change, pollution and population growth make its sustainable management even more important."

According to him, water conservation i.e. the saving of water and its proper management, is no longer an option but a necessity. He also echoed similar concerns with Minister Pariyar that water crisis could increase the risk to food security, health and community stability if we fail to timely implement measures such as collecting water and storing monsoon water, rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation system, and protection of river and groundwater  sources.

He mentioned that the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative launched by UAE's President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2024 was a truly visionary and timely global response. The Infinitives aimed to drive innovation, raise global awareness and support real and on-the-ground- solutions for vulnerable communities grappling with water crisis.

Furthermore, he shared that the Initiative prioritizes implementing advance technologies such as desalination and direct support to the vulnerable countries. At global level, the UAE, in collaboration with Senegal, was preparing to organize the United Nations Water Summit in 2026.

Similarly, Dr Naresh Subedi, member of the Trust, said that the NTNC has been working in close partnership with the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund of the UAE. The philanthropic organization based in Abu Dhabi was established to support global species conservation efforts. 

Dr Subedi apprised that the Fund has so far supported 3,100 conservation projects in 170 countries, including Nepal and contributed in safeguarding 1,900 species from brink of extinction. (RSS)